Canada’s first Olympic decathlon champion was chosen as the country’s flag-bearer for the closing ceremony on Sunday in Tokyo. Coverage of the Tokyo 2020 closing ceremony begins Sunday at 6 a.m. ET on CBC-TV, CBCSports.ca and CBC Gem.
Warner set an Olympic best en route to his gold medal, becoming the first person to surpass the vaunted 9,000-point barrier in the 10-sport competition at the Games. His final score of 9,018 is the third-best of all-time.
“It is an honour of my lifetime to be named as the flag-bearer for the closing ceremony at these Games,” Warner said.
“I remember going to Marnie [McBean, chef de mission] and she asked me the question. She asked me if I wanted to be the flag-bearer and I just had goosebumps all over my arms.”
Warner, 31, completed a decathlon for the ages in the blistering Tokyo heat, setting three separate Olympic bests in the process. His long jump distance would have been good for bronze in the individual event, while his 100-metre dash time would have nearly qualified him for the final.
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WATCH | Damian Warner named Canada’s Tokyo 2020 closing ceremony flag-bearer:
Canada’s Damian Warner set an Olympic record in the decathlon, scoring over 9,000 points. Now, he’s been appointed the country’s closing ceremony flag-bearer for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. 1:03
He also reset the Olympic decathlon mark for the 110-metre hurdles.
“When you go through the whole battle of the decathlon and finally finish and you get the result you were looking for, there is no greater feeling. This is a dream come true,” Warner said after winning gold.
“I’ve never been in this position when one of my dreams came true. I don’t even know how to react right now.”
The London, Ont., native won the honour amid a crowded field at an Olympics which saw Canada earn 23 medals — a record for the country at a non-boycotted Summer Games.
Swimmer Penny Oleksiak became the country’s most decorated Olympian, adding three more medals to her haul of four at the Rio 2016 Games. Maggie Mac Neil won Canada’s lone gold medal in the pool and added silver and bronze, while Kylie Masse had three podium appearances of her own.
But due to COVID-19, athletes were forced to leave the village 48 hours after the end of their competition, and swimming ended nearly one week ago. A scenario like in 2016 — when Oleksiak left Brazil, went to Canada’s Wonderland, then flew back to carry the flag at the closing ceremony — was impossible in 2021.
An exception might have been made for Warner, whose event ended on Thursday, to remain in Tokyo.
WATCH | Damian Warner becomes 1st Canadian to win decathlon gold:
Warner set an Olympic record with 9018 points in the decathlon after he finished the 1,500m race in a time of 4:31.08 at Tokyo 2020. 2:03
The Canadian women’s soccer team became the country’s first women’s squad to win Olympic gold, led by captain Christine Sinclair and goalie Stephanie Labbé. Sinclair earned closing ceremony duties at London 2012 when the team won bronze.
Sprinter Andre De Grasse won his first Olympic gold medal, plus two more bronze for good measure to give him six so far in his career.
“It was an honour to watch and see athletes like Penny [Oleksiak] coming back to a Games and excelling once again and adding more medals to her collection,” Warner said. “Moh [Ahmed], you have the women’s eight [rowing], then you have [swimmer] Maggie Mac Neil from my hometown of London, Ont., coming to her first Games and walking away with a whole collection of medals.
“Andre De Grasse has been to many Games like myself and just shows the perseverance, working hard and you’ll finally reach your goal. And then obviously the women’s soccer team.”
But ultimately the choice was Warner, victorious in one of the most prestigious events on the Olympic program.
“I remember when I was growing up, sitting on the couch and watching athletes like Donovan Bailey and Catriona Le May Doan with my mom and seeing how much effect they had on my life and inspired me,” Warner said.
“And I have no doubt that these same athletes that compete here at these Games will have that same effect on Canadians all over. So it’s my honour to be able to represent them at the closing ceremony.”
Warner took a uniquely Canadian route to the top of the podium, too.
When Western University shuttered the training facility Warner was using due to the pandemic, he and coach Gar Leyshon pivoted to make an arrangement with the city of London to open a hockey rink for the Olympian — the nearly 70-year-old Farquharson Arena.
Warner and Leyshon outfitted the arena with all the equipment necessary to practise decathlon, like track, jumping pits and a throwing circle.
It all paid off as the Canadian upgraded his 2016 bronze to gold in Tokyo.
Now, he’ll lead Team Canada into the closing ceremony of one of its most successful Summer Olympics ever.
WATCH | Damian Warner receives his gold medal at Tokyo 2020:
Warner stepped to the top of the podium on Friday to receive his gold medal from the decathlon. 6:00
Vancouver Canucks winger Dakota Joshua is set to make his season debut Thursday after missing time for cancer treatment.
Head coach Rick Tocchet says Joshua will slot into the lineup Thursday when Vancouver (8-3-3) hosts the New York Islanders.
The 28-year-old from Dearborn, Mich., was diagnosed with testicular cancer this summer and underwent surgery in early September.
He spoke earlier this month about his recovery, saying it had been “very hard to go through” and that he was thankful for support from his friends, family, teammates and fans.
“That was a scary time but I am very thankful and just happy to be in this position still and be able to go out there and play,,” Joshua said following Thursday’s morning skate.
The cancer diagnosis followed a career season where Joshua contributed 18 goals and 14 assists across 63 regular-season games, then added four goals and four assists in the playoffs.
Now, he’s ready to focus on contributing again.
“I expect to be good, I don’t expect a grace period. I’ve been putting the work in so I expect to come out there and make an impact as soon as possible,” he said.
“I don’t know if it’s going to be perfect right from the get-go, but it’s about putting your best foot forward and working your way to a point of perfection.”
The six-foot-three, 206-pound Joshua signed a four-year, US$13-million contract extension at the end of June.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 14, 2024.
TORONTO – Reigning PWHL MVP and scoring champ Natalie Spooner will miss the start of the regular season for the Toronto Sceptres, general manager Gina Kingsbury announced Tuesday on the first day of training camp.
The 33-year-old Spooner had knee surgery on her left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) after she was checked into the boards by Minnesota’s Grace Zumwinkle in Game 3 of their best-of-five semifinal series on May 13.
She had a goal and an assist in three playoff games but did not finish the series. Toronto was up 2-1 in the semifinal at that time and eventually fell 3-2 in the series.
Spooner led the PWHL with 27 points in 24 games. Her 20 goals, including five game-winners, were nine more than the closest skater.
Kingsbury said there is no timeline, as the team wants the Toronto native at 100 per cent, but added that “she is doing really well” in her recovery.
The Sceptres open the PWHL season on Nov. 30 when they host the Boston Fleet.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 12, 2024.
LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.
“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”
Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.
The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.
Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.
“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”
Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.
“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”
The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.
“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”
Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.
“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.
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